Electromagnetic counting device



Jan. 23, 1951 J. I. BELLAMY snsc'moncnm-xc coun'rmc DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 1951 J. l. BELLAMY ELECTROMAGNETIC couu'rmc DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 John [BE/L311? Ji l Hffarne Filed Feb. 15, 1946 Patented Jan. 23, 1951 ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTING DEVICE John I. Bellamy, Brookfield, Ill., assignor to Kellog; Switchboard and Supply Company, Chicago, Ill.. a corporation of Illinois Application February 15, 1946, Serial No. 647,896

. l This invention relates to electromagnetic counting devices. Its object is to provide an improved form of electromagnetic device for countinga received series of electrical impulses and for controlling contact sets in accordance with the number of impulses therein.

This invention is in the nature of a further improvement'on the devices disclosed in my copending applications for Electromagnetic Counting Devices, Serial No. 493,312, filed July 2, 1943, now Patent No. 2,441,001; and Serial No. 612,689, filed August 25, 1945.

The present invention is embodied in an electromagnetic counting device of the operational type disclosed in my above-noted application Serial No. 612,689, wherein a common electromagnetic structure is provided with a series of interlinked armatures comprising pairs corresponding respectively to impulses of a received series. The first armature of any such pair opcrates at the beginning of its corresponding impulse, while the second armature of the pair operates at the termination of the'impulse. The

two armatures of any such pair are opposedly tencountingmovements.

A feature of the counting device herein dissioned pursuant to their-intended successive closed is thateach armature thereof lies normally in thesame general plane, out of which it moves edgewise to execute its counting operation, and that the armatures are so interlocked mechanically that no one of them can execute its counting movement until its immediately preceding armature has done so.

A further feature is that the first, or work, larmature of any pair lies entirely on one side of the actuating pole structure so as to be innuanced magnetically only in its desired operatlng direction, while the second, or sequence, ar-

nature of any such pairincludes two "portions mm; on opposite sides of the common pole structure, whereby any such armature is readily urged in one direction by. any impulse arriving before its "counting operation occurs, and is urged in the opposite direction by any impulse arriving subsequent 'to its counting operation.

A further feature of the disclosed counting device is that'the several stackups of contact blades carried thereby are rendered more compact laterally by arranging them in a staggered formation, whereby the width of the structure is substantially halved. Besides reducing the overall space required, the feature in question results in a more compact magnetic structure, which has the advantage that a smaller pro- 2 Claims. (01. 175-337) 2 portion of the magnetomotive force is dissipated by leakage flux.

Further advantageous features include the intermediate pivoting of the armatures to enable a desired ratio of armature travel to contactspring travel to be selected, and include the provision of an economical arrangement for maintaining the armatures in position along a common pivot rod and for providing them with a magnetic return path of relatively low reluctance. v

Other objects and features will appear upon a further perusal of the specification.

The accompanying drawings show a preferred simple .embodiment of a counting device constructed according to the principles of the invention, together with a desirable modification of a portion thereof.

Figures 1 to 3 show respectively a left-side view, a top view, and a front view of the preferred simple embodiment ofthe device.

Figure 4 is a left-side view of one of the work armatures B of the device of Figs. 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a similar view of one of the sequence armatures l3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view, taken I generally along the line -6Bof Fig. 1.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the device takengenerally along the line 1-4 of Fig. 6.

Figures 7A and '7B-are an edge view and a full view respectively of a modified form for the inter-armature spacing washers 29 of Figs. 1 to 7.

Construction The construction of the preferred simple embodiment will now be described with reference to the principal views of Figs. 1 to 3, and the auxiliary views of Figs. 4 to 7.

The device includes an L-shaped heel plate 2 and a pair of electromagnets 3, attached there to by rear screws 5, and having terminal members 41. L-shaped pole piece 6 is attached to the forward extension of cores 4 by front screws 1.

Contact blades 38, with their respective terminal portions 39, are supported in insulation block 35 mounted at the rear of the device. Contact blades 38 comprise ten groups, or stackups SI to SIG. In the operation of the device, these stackups are actuated successively, one for each received impulse of a series. Asseen best in Fig. 1, each such stackup includes three contact blades, comprising what is known as a break-make combination. It is the function of the work arma'tures of the device to actuate the 3 stackups SI to SI! successively as the impulses of a series are received and counted.

The armatures of the device comprise ten pairs, each pair comprising a work armature I and a sequence armature II. The armatures are pivote'd about a common pivot rod II.

Pivot bracket II. secured to heel plate 2 as by screws II (Figs. 1 and 6). has a pair of upturned end portions 21 for supporting pivot rod II. Additionally, it has a series of uniformly spaced upturned guide portions 2I. Portions 21 and II of bracket it serve to position the armatures in pairs uniformly along pivot rod II, and to provide low-reluctance return paths to heel plate I, the pivot bracket being constructed of magnetic material.

AsseenbestinFlg.7,thearmaturesIandlI .ofanypalraremaintainedslightlyseparated by an intervening spacing washer II, any such washer serving to maintain each of its associated armatures in fairly close relationship to its associated return member, 21 or II.

As an alternative arrangement, the rigid washers II can be replaced by spring washers II of Figs. 7A and 7B. Washers II are preferably of comparatively thin spring material, and are formed as shown in profile view in Fig. 7A so as to urge each armature lightly in a lateral direction into intimate engagement with its associated magnetic return member.

It will be observed that the several armaturu I and II are generally uniformly spaced at the front and at the rear, but that the two armatures of any pair are laterally onset toward each other in the intermediate zone including pivot bracket II. This ofiset, arrangement permits. pivot bracket II to be formed of comparatively sturdy stock and still have upstanding parts II formed integrally therewith as by a simple punching and forming operation.

The several sequence armatures II are fur- 'ther maintainedin their illustrated aligned position by their respective spring blades II, as may beseenbestinl'igs. 1and6. Eachspringbiade at is bifurcate at the front end to receive the rear end of the concerned sequence armature II. By this expedient. the armatures are not requiredto fit snugly around pivot rod 24. Similarly, irnpulse armatures I are maintained in aligned position by their respective bifurcate spring blades II.

In Fig. 6, it will be observed that spring blades 48 are in the nature of comb teeth formed integrally with their common back portion I2, and that springs II are similarly formed as the teeth of a comb having back portion 34.

It will be observedfthat screws II retain an assembly at the rear of the device which includes base plate 3i, comb strip If, inter-comb strip II, and comb strip I4. followed by insulation block Ii and'cap plate II.

Referring now to Fig. 4. it will be observed that each work armature I is provided with a pivot opening l0 through which pivot rod 24 passes in the assembled position of the device, such opening being through the intermediate offset portion I. Each such armature is provided with a rear notch ll within which the bifurcate portion of its associated, downwardly tensioned, restoring spring 45 terminates, permitting such spring to press downwardly on the rear end of the armature with a restoring spring tension.

The front portion of each work armature I is provided with a side tab it, extending to the left. In the assembled position of the device.

the side tab I! of any armature I, except the Referring now particularly to Fig. 5, each sequence armature II has a pivot opening it through its intermediate offset portion I4, and is provided at the rear with a notch II within which the bifurcate portion of its associated actuating spring ll terminates. Springs II are tensioned upwardly comparatively lightly, but with sumcient force that any one of them sumces "to bring its associated sequence armature into operated position as soon as it is permitted to do so.

The principal forward portion of any sequence armature II overhangs the horizontal portion of pole piece I in the assembled position of the device. As illustrated, each sequence armature II has a lower portion II which underlie the horizontal portion of pole piece I.

A so-called residual plate ll, composed of nonmagnetic material is fixed to the right side of the front portion of each sequence armature II, as by spot wel li' i P ints 8. Holes II in parts II and" may be used to alignthe parts for accurate assembly.

Plate II is of bifurcate construction conforming generally to the shape of the front portion of the armature II to which it is attached. but the opening between the arms of part II is is. than the opening between the arms of armature II, whereby armature 'II is maintained out of contact with pole piece Iby a distance inits normal position, and by a predetermined distance in the operated position thereof, whereby the fiux drain is considerably Residual plate II extends somewhat above the top line of the sequence armature II to which it is attached. During the counting operation. this arrangement keeps the -overhanging tab II of the next succeeding work armature I'out of intimate magnetic contact therewith, toavoid inter-armature sticking. The upper front portion of each part II has a 22 extending to the left therefrom. In the assembled position of the device, each such side tab I2 overhangs, and rests upon, the front portion of the immediately preceding work armature I of the same armature pair, thereby defining the normal position of the work armature I, and preventing premature operationof 'the sequence armature II.

Preferably, the parts are so dimensioned that the overhanging side tab I! of any work arms: ture I succeeding the first is normally slightly out of contact with the residual plate II of its immediately preceding sequence armature: whereby the normal position assumed by any work armaturesdoes not prevent the immediately preceding sequence armature from its intended normal position. T

In the preferred embodiment of the device now being described, each .of the work armatures I is composed of material that is magnetically "hard" wherebyany such armature, upon having once been attracted downwardly into engagement with pole piece I, remains so attracted by residual magnetism against the normally exertedrestor .19 91. w mine i Referring "unto the contact blades II oom-' aaaaem prising the ten separately actuatable stackups Bl to Bil, it will be observed that each such stackup comprises three contact springs. The intermediate contact springot any such stackup is preferably formed of comparatively thin, flexible stock, and is so terisioned as to normally rest in electrical engagement with its underlying back-contact blade, from which position it can be moved upwardly out of contact therewith, and into contact with its immediately overlying frontcontact blade. The front-contact and back-contact blades are preferably of relatively rigid construction.

Actuation of any of the stackups of contacts is eiiected by its associated control stud 44. Any such stud is provided with a body portion of suitable length to extend from restoring spring II to the flexible travelling contact blade thereof. Any control stud 4| is held in position by a pair of end extensions thereof, one of which is received within locating hole 42 (Fig. 6) of its associated restoring spring 4|, while the upper end thereof is similarly received within a-hole in the travelling Blade of the associated stackup. The front-contact and back-contact blades of the stackups may be all formed alike, each provided with a hole 40 (Fig. 2) large enough to freely receive control studs 44.

The counting operation The counting operation of the device of Figs. 1 to 7, responsive to impulses received by electromagnets 3, will now be described. It will be noted that these electromagnets are connected magnetically in parallel between heel plate 2 and pole piece 6. The arrival of. an impulse to be counted results in the energization of both electromagnets 3 in the same sense, whereby they both present the same polarity of magnetomotive force to pole piece 6.

Responsive to each impulse energization of. electromagnets 3, each unoperated sequence armature i3 is attracted upwardly since its lower arm is closer to the horizontal portion oi'pole piece I than is the upper arm thereof whereby it remains in normal position. Each work armature I, however, is attracted downwardly toward operated position. The action of these armatures in counting a. series of received impulses will now be described.

First impulse begins At the beginning of the first received impulse of a series, work armature I of the first pair moves downwardly (rotates in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, about pivot rod 24) into operated position, coming into intimate contact with the upper surface of the horizontal portion of pole piece i. This movement occurs against the restraining influence oi the associated restoring spring Ii. The consequent elevation of spring 4i, through the medium of the first control stud ll, raises the intermediate contact blade of stackup Si from engagement with its underlying backcontact blade into engagement with its overlying front-contact blade. I

As previously noted, none of the sequence armatures ll responds at this time, for each unoperated one of them (and all are unoperated initially) is urged upwardly during a received impulse.

None of the work armatures 8 succeeding the first can respond to the first impulse, as each such succeeding work armature I is restrained by its attached side tab II from moving downwardly into operated position prior to the operation of the sequence armature i3 oi! the immediately preceding armature pair. As previously noted, any side tab I2 is preferably slightly out of contact with the highest portion of the sequence armature over which it extends, wherefore a slight, and inefiectual, downward movement of the succeeding work armatures 8 occurs before such motion is arrested when the side tab l2 of any sucharmature makes restraining contact. Ideally, the parts should be so dimensioned that no such idle movement occurs, but practically, such movement should be provided for as a matter of manufacturing tolerance, as will be readily appreciated.

First impulse ends Upon the termination of the first impulse of a received series, the consequent demagnetization of pole piece 6 permits the slightly moved impulse armatures 8 succeeding the first to restore completely. The fully operated first armature I however is maintained in its fully operated position by' residual magnetism, all such armatures being composed of magnetically "hard material as previously noted.

With impulse armature 8 of the first pair thus held in'operated position, the cessation of the first impulse permits sequence armature i3 of the first pair to obey its' associated operating spring 45 by moving clockwise (as seen in Fig. 1) from normal position into operated position. This movement unblocks impulse armature 8 of the second pair to leave it free to respond to the second impulse.

Additionally, this movement brings the upper arm (see Fig. 5) of the front portion of the operated first sequence armature l3 closer to the hori-- zontal portion of pole piece 6 than the lower arm thereof then is, whereby the sequence armature is not retracted by succeeding impulses.

Second impulse begins At the beginning of they second impulse of the received series, the work armature 8 of the second pair, being no longer restrained, executes its counting movement as described for the work armature of the first pair. Such :movement causes actuation of the second stackup S2, at the same time unblocking the associated sequence armature l3 of the second pair to permit it to operate upon the termination of the second impulse.

Second impulse ends When the second impulse ends, the sequence armature iii of the second pair. having been unblocked by the counting movement of the impulse armature 8 of the same pair, executes its counting movement obedient to the force of its operating spring 45, with results similar to those explained in connection with the operation of the sequence armature l3 of the first pair.

Succeeding impulses QJSOJIB g .the magnetically "hard" impulse armatures I. are preferably composed of magnetically soft material.

Clearing out when the operated device is to be cleared out, the electromagnets .3 are given a mild reversed magnetization. as by providing each with a lowpowered winding reversely found. Obedient to this mild magnetization in the opposite direction, the residual magnetism of the operated impulse armatures t is at least neutralized, permittingall operated armatures to restore. Such restoration occurs by virtue of the stored downward tension in restoring springs 4i, acting in opposition to the comparatively mild upward tension in springs 45.

I claim:

1. In a magnetic counting device, a pole piece and means for imparting impulses of magnetic force thereto, a series of armatures comprising work armatures and sequence armatures appearing alternately and overlapping the pole piece, the armatures lying generally side by side in a row laterally displaced from the pole piece and generally parallel to the near edge thereof, means supporting the armatures for individual movement transversely of the row and of the said edge, each work armature lying entirely on one side of the pole piece and being attractable thereby, each sequence armature having a part lying on one side of the pole piece and a further part lying on the other side, whereby it is attracted in one direction or the other by the pole piece depending upon its position when the pole piece is magnetized, and means including inter-armature linking means, cooperating with biasing vmeans for the sequence armatures and opposed biasing means for the work armatures, for causing said armatures to be moved successively responsive to said impulses to count them, a separate work armature moving responsive to the beginning of each impulse, and aseparate sequence armature moving responsive to the termination thereof.

2.. In a magnetic counting device, a pole piece and means for imparting impulses of magnetic force thereto, a series of armatures comprising work armatures and sequence armatures appearing alternately and overlapping the pole piece. the armatures lying generally side by side in a row laterally displaced from the pole piece and generally parallel to the near edge thereof, means supporting the armatures for individual movement transversely of the row and of the said edge. each work armature lying entirely on one side of the pole piece and being attractable thereby in a given direction. each sequence armature having a part lying on the other side of the pole piece, whereby it is attractable in an opposed direction, and means including inter-armature linking means, cooperating with biasing means for the sequence armatures and opposed biasing means for the work/armatures, for causing said armstures to be moved successively responsive to said impulses to count them, a separate work armature moving responsive to the beginning of each impulse. and a separate sequence armature moving responsive to the terminationthereof.

JOHN I. BELLAMY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 733,563 'Sundh July 14, 1903 978,161 Carichoif Aug. 29, 1905 936,724 Ihlder Oct. 12, 1909 1,226,617 Parker May 15, 1917 1,252,312 Warren Jan. 1, 1918 1,743,196 Duggan Jan. 14, 1930 2,067,151 Dicke Jan. 5, 1937 2,145,950 Persons Feb. 7, 1939 2,180,288 Beach Nov. 14, 1939 2,211,701 McGrath Aug. 13,1940 2,296,123 Stimson Sept. 15, 1942 2,305,450 Stibitz Dec. 15, 1942 2,313,597 Stimson Mar. 9, 1943 2,360,664 Field Oct. 17,1944 2,410,136 Vincent Oct. 29, 1946 2,435,425 Cunningham Feb. 3, 1948 2,441,001 Bellamy May 4,1948 2,456,169 Bellamy Dec. 14, 1948 2,487,015

Bellamy Nov. 1, 1949- 

